Non-Fungicides-Based Promising Technologies for Managing Post-Production Penicillium Induced Spoilage in Horticultural Commodities: A Comprehensive Review

Post-harvest commodities wastage due to decay caused by the pathogenic fungi generates a huge amount of economic losses worldwide. Different species of Penicillium spoil various foodstuffs and produce mycotoxins, alkaloids and other harmful cellular metabolites in the food. Presently, synthetic fungicides, mainly used for fungal diseases control, are associated with harmful impacts on the environment and consumer health. Hence, non-fungicide based eco-friendly and commercially viable alternative is proposed for ensuring food safety. In recent years, the safer options that have been explored include microbe mediated biological control, botanical pesticides, use of generally regarded as safe (GRAS) compounds, and innovative physical approaches including cold plasma, and pulsed light techniques. These emerging technologies could be utilized in the multiple hurdle concept of disease management for suppressing pathogens growth at different stages of spoilage development. This review, first of its kind, summarizes the exclusive information on Penicillium spp. induced spoilage, associated toxicological concerns and the potential of non-fungicide-based promising approaches for managing fungal wastage in the harvested horticultural commodities.